The Council of Fashion Designers of America has added a new category for 2018 - the influencer award. Social star Kim Kardashian West will be honored as an influencer at the annual CFDA award show. 

Kardashian West has an impressive resumé; she's the sixth most popular influencer on Instagram with 106 million followers on the platform alone. She has an additional 30 million Facebook fans, and almost 60 million on Twitter. 

The star frequently represents numerous brands in the fashion and beauty sector, as well as marketing her own line of cosmetics,  KKW Beauty and KKW Fragrance. She also has a hand in promoting Kanye West's Yeezy brand.

Influence is power

CFDA president and chief executive officer Steven Kolb said Tommy Hilfiger was behind the idea of recognising influencers.

"Kim is the most important and powerful influencer in the world," Hilfiger said. "Her reach extends far beyond her own brands. Every time she wears, posts or talks about a fashion brand, there is an immediate and significant increase in both awareness and sales."

Steven Kolb also added: “The board all agreed that Kim was someone who has really impacted the industry and has changed the way brands are presented. She’s a friend of a lot of the designers and has had great influence on fashion globally.” 

Kardashian West shared the news on her Instagram account, as well as tweeting out to Tommy Hilfiger to thank him for his support on the venture. The awards take place on June 4th.

I love you @TommyHilfiger Thank you for your kind words ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VDT7gi0Igr

— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) May 9, 2018

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